"Augusta University's Security Operations Center Introduces SIEGE CyberOps to Provide Cybersecurity Services Throughout Georgia"
The Security Operations Center (SOC) at Augusta University (AU) opened in October 2020, in the midst of COVID-19 challenges and increased cyber threats. With the help of a student workforce, the Cyber Defense Department has been working to keep AU and AU Health data safe and secure. The Georgia Cyber Center houses AU's SOC. It uses people, processes, and technology to continuously monitor and improve the security posture of AU and AU Health while detecting, analyzing, and responding to cybersecurity incidents. To ensure rapid response to emerging threats, the SOC operates around the clock via automated alerting and on-call procedures. Although protecting AU is the top priority, the Cyber Defense Department wants to provide services beyond the university and health system. AU's SOC has been renamed "SIEGE CyberOps," with SIEGE standing for "Security Intelligence and Engineering for Georgia Education." SIEGE CyberOps detects, isolates, and resolves issues in AU's digital footprint. It is the headquarters of AU's cyber defense team, which safeguards the organization by monitoring, detecting, analyzing, and investigating cyber threats. Networks, servers, computers, endpoint devices, operating systems, applications, and databases are all constantly monitored for signs of cybersecurity breaches. AU's commitment to serving the entire state of Georgia is exemplified by this latest iteration of its cybersecurity work. This article continues to discuss the purpose and top priorities of AU's SIEGE CyberOps.